On behalf of the AfricaRice family and on my own
personal behalf, I would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to you
for this richly deserved honor of being awarded the 2017 World Food Prize,
known as the “Nobel Prize’’ for Food and Agriculture.

AfricaRice would like to share this proud moment with you because of your close association with the Center, first as a member of staff when the Center was called WARDA and your continued support to its activities in your various other capacities, wherein food and agriculture have been key in your vision for the development of Africa.

Your profound vision to transform the agricultural
sector in Africa into an engine of economic growth through strong policies,
institutions and leadership and your relentless efforts to uplift smallholder
farmers in Africa are certainly most deserving of the World Food Prize.

All through your distinguished career, you have
been one of the most passionate and committed supporters of agricultural
research and development for Africa. You will without doubt continue to be an
inspiration to young African professionals, providing them with a shining
example they can emulate in their own lives.

As you write the next proud chapter in the
transformation of African agriculture and the economic development of the
continent, we offer our wholehearted support for the realization of your vision
of a prosperous, productive and food-secure Africa.

AfricaRice headquarters is based in Côte d’Ivoire. Staff are located in Côte d’Ivoire and also in AfricaRice Research Stations in Benin, Liberia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Senegal and Tanzania. For more information visit: www.AfricaRice.org

About CGIAR

CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food-secure future. CGIAR science is dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources and ecosystem services.

Its research is carried out by 15 CGIAR Centers in close collaboration with hundreds of partners, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, development organizations and the private sector. www.cgiar.org